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Managing your own health can be difficult enough, but keeping track of a pet’s wellbeing can add an extra layer of stress. It’s not something you’d expect, but a recent recall of pet food has made it painfully clear: The Food and Drug Administration announced a recall on Monday for six varieties of dog kibble from Midwestern Pet Foods, which may contain aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen found in certain crops like corn and grains, as well as in soil.
This isn’t just any routine recall: the contaminated Sportmix brand has already been linked to the deaths of over 70 dogs, and another 80 pets have become sick after consuming the food. Clearly, caution is necessary with Sportmix dog kibble right now. Here's everything else you need to know.
An investigation is currently underway.
Although it remains uncertain whether aflatoxin is the definitive cause, authorities strongly suspect it is responsible for the untimely deaths of several dogs. As stated in a news release by the agency, the presence of the toxin hasn’t yet been confirmed in a lab, which is key to making their findings definitive.
Not all cases have been conclusively linked to aflatoxin poisoning through lab tests or veterinary records. This number is an approximation and may not represent the full scope of pets impacted.
The suspected connection lies in the corn content of Sportmix kibble. Since the product includes corn, authorities believe there may be a presence of aflatoxin, a toxin that thrives on corn. Aflatoxins are produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus and can cause serious health issues or even death in dogs and other pets if consumed in high quantities.
Usually, exposure to the toxin causes lethargy and digestive problems in dogs. In some cases, they develop jaundice, which causes a yellowish hue in their eyes and gums. Other times, there may be no apparent symptoms until the situation becomes critical.
The affected products were distributed across the country.
This isn't just a small recall of a few bags of kibble; it's a massive recall affecting much, if not all, of the products made at one of Midwestern Pet Food’s Oklahoma plants. Initially announced on December 30, the recall began with nine lots of Sportmix pet food. However, it was later expanded: On Monday, the recall was extended to all corn-based products manufactured at the Oklahoma facility, with expiration dates on or before July 9, 2022.
That’s an enormous amount of dog food—too much for the FDA to list in its advisory—but some of the notable brands impacted by this issue include Sportmix, Propac, Splash Fat Cat, and Nunn Better Maintenance, among others. The recall affects stores nationwide, as well as online retailers, according to the FDA.
What You Should Do
First and foremost, it might be a wise decision to dispose of anything produced by Midwestern Pet Food and consider switching to a different brand for the time being. If that’s not an option, the FDA advises checking the lot number on the food bag. As the agency states, “if the date/lot code includes an expiration date on or before ‘07/09/22' and contains ‘05,’” then the food is likely contaminated and should be discarded.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect that your pet's food is part of the recall, the best option is to throw it away to keep your pet safe from potential toxins.
